The White Man’s Burden: Why the West’s Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good

Easterly argues that the previous imperial era did nothing for economic advancement in the Rest, and instead their actions consequently “created some of the conditions that bred occasions for today’s unsuccessful interventions: failed states and bad government” (272). In addition, the arbitrary borders put in place by colonizers did nothing but further exacerbate local tensions, suggesting that decolonialization tactics were haphazard: “First, the West gave territory to one group that a different group already believed it possessed. Second, the West drew boundary lines splitting an ethnic group into two or more parts across nations. Third, the West combined into a single nation two or more groups that were historical enemies” (291).

Although Easterly is aware of the reluctance foreign aid supporters show in looking at the historical implications of colonialism, he believes it is vital to examine these processes in order to address the consequences that the new wave of postmodern imperialism and Western intrusions may herald. He likens postmodern imperialism to colonialism, as today’s donors are no different than colonizers with their Planner mentality, ideals, little knowledge of the realities on the ground, and their ability to destabilize a country’s power. Due to the chronicle of exploitation, colonized countries inherit the problems left years ago and show a resistance to economic and political freedom and innovation.